Antenna device and communication terminal apparatus

ABSTRACT

An antenna device includes an antenna coil including a first conductive pattern disposed on a first major surface of a magnetic sheet, a second conductive pattern disposed on a first major surface of a non-magnetic sheet, and an interlayer conductor connecting the first conductive pattern and second conductive pattern. The antenna coil including the first conductive pattern and second conductive pattern defines a spiral or substantially spiral pattern. The antenna device is a resin multilayer structure in which its base body is a laminate of the magnetic layer and non-magnetic layer and the predetermined patterns are disposed inside and outside the laminate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an antenna device preferably for use in an RFID system or short-range wireless communication system that communicates with partner equipment through an electromagnetic field signal.

2. Description of the Related Art

An antenna device for use in an HF-band communication system, such as Felica (registered trademark) or NFC, is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-325013. FIG. 1 is a front view that illustrates the structure of the antenna device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-325013.

An antenna coil 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an air-core coil 32 including spirally wound conductors 31 (31 a, 31 b, 31 e, 31 d) in a plane on a film 32 a and a flat-shaped magnetic core member 33 disposed in the air-core coil 32 so as to be positioned substantially in parallel with the plane of the air-core coil 32. The air-core coil 32 has an opening 32 d in which the magnetic core member 33 is disposed. The first terminal 31 a and the coupling conductor 31 e are coupled to each other with a through hole 32 b. The second terminal 31 b and the coupling conductor 31 e are coupled to each other with a through hole 32 c. This magnetic antenna is arranged on a conductive plate 34.

The antenna device in which the magnetic body is disposed in the opening of the antenna coil illustrated in FIG. 1 can control the directivity of the antenna by controlling the distribution of magnetic fields occurring in the antenna coil. Although depending on the surrounding environment (e.g., relationship with the ground and the like), the communication distance mainly toward the axial direction of the magnetic body can be extended.

In such an antenna device, however, because it has a structure in which the antenna coil has an opening in its central portion and a bar-shaped magnetic body (flat-shaped magnetic core member) is disposed in this opening, its manufacturing process is complicated. Thus, the positional accuracy between the magnetic body and the antenna coil is low and the characteristics of an obtained antenna device tend to widely vary. In addition, an adhesive for use in fixing the antenna coil and the plate-shaped magnetic body is needed, and the adhesive may negatively affect the electric characteristics of the antenna device, depending on the type or applied amount of the adhesive.

In addition, because each of the conductors 31 (31 a, 31 b, 31 e, 31 d) is disposed in the plane on the film 32 a, a gap is present between the conductor 31 and the magnetic core member 33. Thus, there is a problem in that a magnetic flux is reflected on the interface between the magnetic body and a dielectric body (non-magnetic body) and the magnetic-field coupling decreases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna device that can be produced by a simple process, has characteristics that do not vary widely, and has satisfactory electric characteristics, and a communication terminal apparatus including the antenna device.

An antenna device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of insulator layers including at least a magnetic layer, at least one first conductive pattern, at least one second conductive pattern, an interlayer conductor, and an antenna coil (e.g., a spiral or helical conductive portion other than the magnetic body) with one turn or a plurality of turns. The first conductive pattern has a half-loop shape or a linear shape, includes one or more layers, and is arranged so as to be adjacent to a first major surface of the magnetic layer. The second conductive pattern has a half-loop shape or a linear shape, includes one or more layers, and is arranged so as to be adjacent to a second major surface of the magnetic layer. The interlayer conductor is disposed in the plurality of layers and connects the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern. The antenna coil includes the first conductive pattern, the second conductive pattern, and the interlayer conductor.

For example, at least a portion of the first conductive pattern preferably is disposed on the first major surface of the magnetic layer, at least a portion of the second conductive pattern is disposed on a first major surface of a non-magnetic layer, and the first major surface of the non-magnetic layer is in contact with the second major surface of the magnetic layer.

For example, each of the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern preferably includes a plurality of half-loop or linear conductive patterns being parallel or substantially parallel with each other, each of the conductive patterns is disposed on a plane, and the antenna coil is spiral when seen from a winding axis direction thereof.

For example, the plurality of layers preferably includes one or more non-magnetic layers arranged so as to be adjacent to the first major surface of the magnetic layer and a plurality of non-magnetic layers arranged so as to be adjacent to the second major surface of the magnetic layer, the first conductive pattern is disposed on the magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer adjacent to the first major surface of the magnetic layer, and the second conductive pattern is disposed on the non-magnetic layer adjacent to the second major surface of the magnetic layer.

For example, the plurality of layers preferably includes a plurality of magnetic layers, and at least one of the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern preferably is disposed on the plurality of magnetic layers.

For example, the antenna device preferably further includes a coupling conductor disposed within a loop defined by the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern when the antenna coil is seen in plan view on any one of the plurality of layers, the coupling conductor being electrically coupled to an external ground terminal and isolated from the antenna coil.

For example, the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern may preferably have different line lengths.

A communication terminal apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the antenna device according to one of the preferred embodiments described above, a communication circuit connected to the antenna device, and a casing that houses the antenna device and the communication circuit.

For example, the casing preferably includes an end portion to be directed toward a communication partner, and the antenna device preferably is arranged in a vicinity of the end portion of the casing.

A path length of the first conductive pattern may preferably be longer than a path length of the second conductive pattern, and the antenna device may preferably be arranged such that a side adjacent to the first conductive pattern is directed toward an antenna of a communication partner.

According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, an antenna device that can be manufactured by a simple process, has characteristics that do not vary widely, and has satisfactory characteristics, and a communication terminal apparatus including the antenna device is provided.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view that illustrates the structure of an antenna device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-325013.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 101 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2C is a front view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 201 in which the antenna device 101 is incorporated.

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 102 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a front view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 202 in which the antenna device 102 is incorporated.

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 103 according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a front view thereof.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 104 according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view that illustrates the relationship between the antenna device 104 and a ground conductor GND of a substrate.

FIG. 9A is a partial cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 204 in which the antenna device 104 is incorporated, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting portion in the antenna device 104.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 105 according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 106 according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view that illustrates the relationship between the antenna device 106 and the ground conductor GND of the substrate.

FIG. 13A is a partial cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 206 in which the antenna device 106 is incorporated, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting portion in the antenna device 106.

FIG. 14A is a plan view that illustrates the relationship between the antenna device 106 and the ground conductor GND of the substrate, and FIGS. 14B and 14C are plan views that illustrate a path of a current flowing in the ground conductor GND and that flowing in an antenna coil 456, respectively.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an antenna device 107 according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15B is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 15C illustrates how a magnetic flux passes through the antenna device 107.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 101 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a plan view of the antenna device 101. FIG. 2C is a front view of the antenna device 101.

The antenna device 101 is configured as an antenna device preferably for use in transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals in a high frequency (HF) range, such as 13.56 MHz, for example. As described below, the antenna device 101 is arranged inside a terminal casing of a communication terminal apparatus, such as a cellular phone, for example.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, the antenna device 101 includes an antenna coil. The antenna coil includes a first conductive pattern 40 disposed on a first major surface (upper surface in FIGS. 2A-2C) of a magnetic sheet 10, a second conductive pattern 50 disposed on a first major surface (upper surface in FIGS. 2A-2C) of a non-magnetic sheet 20, and an interlayer conductor (via electrode) 60 connecting the first conductive pattern 40 and the second conductive pattern 50. The magnetic sheet corresponds to a “magnetic layer”, and the non-magnetic sheet corresponds to a “non-magnetic layer”.

The first conductive pattern 40 includes a set of a plurality of half-loop conductive patterns arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other. The second conductive pattern 50 also includes a set of half-loop conductive patterns arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the antenna coil including the first conductive pattern 40 and the second conductive pattern defines a spiral or substantially spiral pattern of a plurality of turns (preferably three turns in this example). When seen in plan view (seen from the winding axis direction of the antenna coil), the antenna coil preferably is a rectangular or substantially rectangular spiral pattern.

One terminal of the antenna coil is a first input/output terminal 71, and another terminal thereof is a second input/output terminal 72. These input/output terminals are connected to a feed circuit.

The antenna device 101 is formed preferably by stacking the magnetic sheet 10 with the first conductive pattern 40 formed thereon and the non-magnetic sheet 20 with the second conductive pattern 50 formed thereon and pressing and bonding them. That is, the antenna device 101 includes a laminate of a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer as a base body. That is, the antenna device 101 is a resin multilayer structure in which its base is a laminate of a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer and predetermined conductive patterns are disposed inside and outside the base. The non-magnetic layer may be a low permeability layer having a relative permeability lower than that of the magnetic layer, or alternatively, may be a dielectric layer (relative permeability μr=1), as in this example.

The magnetic sheet 10 is a thermoplastic resin sheet in which magnetic powder, such as ferrite, is mixed and dispersed in a thermoplastic resin, such as polyimide or liquid crystal polymer. The first conductive pattern 40 is formed preferably by patterning copper foil or aluminum foil by, for example, etching. The non-magnetic sheet 20 includes a thermoplastic resin sheet, such as one made of a polyimide or liquid crystal polymer, that is, a dielectric sheet. The second conductive pattern 50 is formed preferably by patterning copper foil or aluminum foil by, for example, etching. The interlayer conductor 60 is formed preferably by filling a through hole formed by radiating the magnetic sheet 10 with laser light with conductive paste including fine metallic particles whose principal component is silver or copper. When the magnetic sheet 10 and the non-magnetic sheet 20 are stacked and heated, both sheets are fused together, and simultaneously, the first conductive pattern 40 and the second conductive pattern 50 are electrically connected to each other with conductive paste (metal body after heat treatment) disposed therebetween.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the interface between the first conductive pattern 40 and the magnetic sheet 10 and the interface between the second conductive pattern 50 and the magnetic sheet 10 have neither an air layer nor a dielectric layer. Thus, a magnetic flux is not reflected on the interface between the magnetic body and dielectric body, and there are few reductions in the magnetic-field coupling resulting from the reflection.

Because such a resin multilayer antenna device is flexible, it can be attached in the casing of, for example, a communication terminal apparatus or attached even to a curved surface of the casing using an adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape, for example.

Because the magnetic sheet 10 and the non-magnetic sheet 20 are both a sheet mainly including a thermoplastic resin, they can be collectively stacked and pressed and bonded and can be easily integrated using a so-called sheet multilayering process.

Aside from the above-described resin multilayer antenna device, a ceramic multilayer antenna device can also be manufactured. In this case, the first conductive pattern 40 and the interlayer conductor 60 may be formed on a magnetic ceramic green sheet using conductive paste, the second conductive pattern 50 may be formed on a dielectric ceramic green sheet or a low permeability ceramic green sheet that has a relative permeability lower than that of a magnetic ceramic green sheet using conductive paste, and both sheets may be stacked and co-fired.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 201 in which the antenna device 101 is incorporated. In FIG. 3, the front side (the surface with an input portion/display portion) D of the communication terminal apparatus 201 faces downward. The communication terminal apparatus 201 is configured such that a substrate (printed wiring board) 2, a battery pack 3, the antenna device 101, and other components are incorporated within a casing 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the antenna device 101 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of an end portion H of the casing 1. The non-magnetic sheet (dielectric sheet) 20 of the antenna device 101 is the attaching surface to the casing 1, and the antenna device 101 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the casing 1. That is, the first conductive pattern 40 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the end portion H of the casing 1.

The substrate 2 is provided with a communication circuit. The feed circuit preferably is included in the communication circuit and is connected to the antenna device 101. Contact pins stand on the substrate 2. Each of the input/output terminals of the antenna device 101 and the feed circuit are electrically connected to each other with the contact pins disposed therebetween. The communication terminal apparatus 201 has a predetermined directivity centered in the upper right direction in the drawing and can ensure a long maximum communication distance in this direction.

Second Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 102 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a front view of the antenna device 102. The antenna device 102 is the one in which the antenna device 101 illustrated in the first preferred embodiment further includes a magnetic sheet 11.

The added magnetic sheet 11 is stacked on the first conductive pattern 40 on the first major surface of the magnetic sheet 10 so as to cover a portion of the first conductive pattern 40. The input/output terminal 71, which is one end of the antenna coil, and the input/output terminal 72, which is another end thereof, are exposed.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 202 in which the antenna device 102 is incorporated. In FIG. 5, the front side, that is, the surface D with an input portion/display portion of the communication terminal apparatus 202 faces downward. The communication terminal apparatus 202 is configured such that the substrate 2 made of a printed wiring board, the antenna device 102, and other components are incorporated within the casing 1. The substrate 2 is provided with a ground conductor GND. A large number of mounting components 5 is mounted on the front and back sides of the substrate 2.

The antenna device 102 preferably is arranged in the vicinity of the end portion H of the casing 1. The non-magnetic sheet (dielectric sheet) 20 of the antenna device 102 is the attaching surface to the casing 1, and the antenna device 102 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the casing 1. That is, the first conductive pattern 40 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the end portion H of the casing 1. The feed circuit on the substrate 2 and the antenna device 102 are connected to each other preferably with contact pins 4 disposed therebetween, for example.

With such a configuration, the magnetic sheets 10 and 11 are present between the antenna coil in the antenna device 102 and the substrate 2 (more specifically, between the antenna coil and the mounting components 5 and between the antenna coil and the ground conductor GND). Thus, a magnetic field occurring in the antenna coil is not easily subjected to the effects of metal elements, such as the ground conductor GND and the mounting components 5, and the antenna characteristics of the antenna device 102 do not heavily depend on the arrangement situation of peripheral metal elements. Accordingly, stable communication characteristics are obtainable.

Third Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 103 according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a front view of the antenna device 103. The antenna device 103 includes a plurality of non-magnetic sheets. The first and second conductive patterns in the antenna device 103 are disposed on a plurality of layers. The first and second conductive patterns define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil.

A half-loop first conductive pattern 41 is disposed on the first major surface of the magnetic sheet 11. A half-loop first conductive pattern 42 and the input/output terminals 71 and 72 are disposed on a first major surface of a non-magnetic sheet 21. A half-loop second conductive pattern 51 is disposed on a first major surface of a non-magnetic sheet 22. A half-loop second conductive pattern 52 is disposed on a first major surface of a non-magnetic sheet 23. Interlayer conductors 61 and 64 are disposed in the non-magnetic sheet 21. Interlayer conductors 61, 62, 63, and 64 are disposed in the magnetic sheet 11. The interlayer conductors 61 and 63 are disposed in the non-magnetic sheet 22.

The first conductive patterns 41 and 42, second conductive patterns 51 and 52, interlayer conductors 61 to 64 define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil between the input/output terminals 71 and 72.

If an antenna device has a structure in which a bar-shaped magnetic body is disposed in an opening of a coil and the antenna coil is a multilayer coil, as in the known example illustrated in FIG. 1, the conductive pattern may be broken when the antenna coil is bent. In contrast, for the structure in the present preferred embodiment, it is not necessary to largely bend the antenna coil, and there is little possibility of a break or damage.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 104 according to a fourth preferred embodiment. The antenna device 104 includes a plurality of magnetic sheets and a plurality of non-magnetic sheets. The first and second conductive patterns in the antenna device 104 are disposed on a plurality of layers. The first and second conductive patterns define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil.

The half-loop first conductive pattern 41 is disposed on the first major surface of the magnetic sheet 11. No conductive pattern is disposed on the non-magnetic sheet 21. The half-loop first conductive pattern 42 is disposed on the first major surface of the non-magnetic sheet 22. A half-loop first conductive pattern 43 is disposed on the first major surface of the non-magnetic sheet 23. Half-loop second conductive patterns 51, 52, 53, and 54 are disposed on the first major surfaces of non-magnetic sheets 24, 25, 26, and 27, respectively. The input/output terminals 71 and 72 and NC terminals (not electrically connected vacant terminals) 73 and 74 are disposed on the second major surface of the non-magnetic sheet 27.

A plurality of magnetic sheets 12 are stacked between the magnetic sheet 11 and the non-magnetic sheet 24.

Interlayer conductors are disposed in the magnetic sheets 11 and 12 and the non-magnetic sheets 22 to 27.

The first conductive patterns 41 to 43, second conductive patterns 51 to 54, and interlayer conductors define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil between the input/output terminals 71 and 72.

In such a manner, a plurality of magnetic sheets may be stacked and the thickness of the magnetic layers may be increased. That enables the opening of the antenna coil to have a large size, and a high-gain antenna device is obtainable.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view that illustrates the relationship between the antenna device 104 and the ground conductor GND of the substrate. The above-described helical antenna coil 456 is included in the antenna device 104, and the antenna coil 456 is illustrated in FIG. 8 with a schematic shape. As described in more detail below, preferably the substrate is provided with the ground conductor GND, and the antenna device 104 is mounted in a location remote from the edge of the ground conductor by a predetermined distance in the x-axis direction.

FIG. 9A is a partial cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 204 in which the antenna device 104 is incorporated. FIG. 9B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting portion in the antenna device 104. In FIG. 9A, the front side (input portion/display portion) of the communication terminal apparatus 204 faces downward. The communication terminal apparatus 204 is configured such that the substrate (printed wiring board) 2, the antenna device 104, and other components are incorporated within the casing 1. The substrate 2 is provided with the ground conductor GND. The large number of mounting components 5 is mounted on the front and back sides of the substrate 2.

The input/output terminals 71 and 72 and NC terminals 73 and 74 of the antenna device 104 are connected to input/output lands and NC lands of the substrate 2, respectively, with a binder, such as solder. In FIG. 9B, one input/output land 82 and one NC land 84 are illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the antenna device 104 is arranged in the vicinity of the end portion H of the casing 1. The antenna device 104 is arranged such that the second conductive patterns 51 to 54 face the substrate 2 and are positioned in the vicinity of the end portion H of the casing 1. Thus, a magnetic flux φ enters between the first conductive patterns 41 to 43 and the second conductive patterns 51 to 54 (into the opening of the antenna coil) and, as in the case of the communication terminal apparatuses illustrated in the first and second preferred embodiments, the directivity characteristic directed from the direction of the end portion of the communication terminal apparatus toward the lower surface (the surface opposite to the surface with the input portion/display portion) is obtainable.

For example, the antenna device 104 can be made of a chip laminate having a length of about 5 mm in the X direction, a length of about 10 mm in the Y direction, and a length of about 0.5 mm in the Z direction and can be configured as a surface-mount device (SMD) that is mountable on the printed wiring board in the casing. The antenna coil 456 including the first conductive patterns 41 to 43 and the second conductive patterns 51 to 54 is wound such that the opening of the antenna coil 456 faces a side in the Y direction, as illustrated in FIG. 8. That is, of the base body preferably having a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the opening of the antenna coil is positioned in the long-side direction, and that can increase the size of the opening of the antenna coil and can increase the area where the magnetic flux can be picked up. Accordingly, a high-gain antenna device can be provided.

Fifth Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 105 according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The antenna device 105 includes a plurality of magnetic sheets and a plurality of non-magnetic sheets. The first and second conductive patterns in the antenna device 105 are disposed on a plurality of layers. The first and second conductive patterns define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil. Unlike the antenna device 104 illustrated in FIG. 7, the first conductive pattern 43 is disposed on a magnetic sheet 13, and the second conductive pattern 51 is disposed on a magnetic sheet 14. The other configuration is preferably the same as that of the antenna device 104.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, the first conductive pattern 41 is located between the magnetic sheet 11 and the magnetic sheet 13. That is, the first conductive pattern is embedded in the magnetic layers. Similarly, the second conductive pattern 51 is located between the stack of magnetic sheets 12 and the magnetic sheet 14 and embedded in the magnetic layers.

In this manner, an embedded portion of each of the first conductive patterns and the second conductive patterns in the magnetic layers can easily enhance the inductance of the antenna coil using the effect of the high permeability of the magnetic layers. For example, the antenna coil having predetermined inductance can be achieved with a small number of turns. That is advantageous for miniaturization. Of the first conductive patterns and the second conductive patterns, the portion embedded in the magnetic layers does not substantially contribute to magnetic-field radiation. Accordingly, determining which sheets (how many sheets) in the central section of the plurality of stacked sheets are magnetic sheets and determining that the remaining sheets are non-magnetic sheets may be optimally achieved in consideration of the balance between the size and the gain of the antenna device.

Sixth Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device 106 according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The antenna device 106 includes a plurality of magnetic sheets and a plurality of non-magnetic sheets. The first and second conductive patterns in the antenna device 106 are disposed on a plurality of layers. The first and second conductive patterns define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil. Unlike the antenna device 104 illustrated in FIG. 7, a non-magnetic sheet 28 is arranged in the lowermost position. A coupling conductor 90 is disposed on a first major surface of the non-magnetic sheet 28. The coupling conductor 90 may be disposed on the front side of the non-magnetic sheet 24, that front side being the interface with the non-magnetic sheet 12. The input/output terminals 71 and 72 and ground terminals 75 and are disposed on a second major surface of the non-magnetic sheet 28. The ground terminals 75 and 76 are electrically connected to the coupling conductor 90 with the interlayer conductor. The other configuration is the same as that of the antenna device 104.

The coupling conductor 90 is coupled to the antenna coil including the first conductive patterns 41 to 43 and the second conductive patterns 51 to 54 through electromagnetic fields. As described below, connecting the ground terminals 75 and 76 to ground conductors of a substrate on which the antenna device 106 is mounted enables the coupling conductor 90 to act as part of the ground conductors of the substrate or as an extended ground conductor.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view that illustrates the relationship between the antenna device 106 and the ground conductor GND of the substrate. The helical antenna coil 456 including the first conductive patterns 41 to 43 and the second conductive patterns 51 to 54 is included in the antenna device 106. The antenna coil 456 is illustrated in FIG. 12 with a schematic shape.

The antenna device 106 preferably is mounted in a location projecting from the edge of the ground conductor GND of the substrate 2 by a predetermined dimension in the x-axis direction. In the state where the antenna device 106 is mounted on the substrate 2, the ground conductor GND of the substrate 2 is electrically coupled to the coupling conductor 90 of the antenna device 106.

FIG. 13A is a partial cross-sectional view that illustrates the configuration of a communication terminal apparatus 206 in which the antenna device 106 is incorporated. FIG. 13B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting portion in the antenna device 106. In FIG. 13A, the front side (input portion/display portion) of the communication terminal apparatus 206 faces downward. The communication terminal apparatus 206 is configured such that the substrate (printed wiring board) 2, the antenna device 106, and other components are incorporated in the casing 1. The substrate 2 is provided with the ground conductor GND. The large number of mounting components 5 is mounted on the front and back sides of the substrate 2.

The input/output terminals 71 and 72 and ground terminals 75 and 76 of the antenna device 106 are connected to the input/output lands and ground conductor GND of the substrate 2, respectively, with a binder, such as solder. In FIG. 13B, one input/output land 82 is illustrated.

FIG. 14 includes plan views that illustrate the relationship between the antenna device 106 and the ground conductor GND of the substrate and a path of a current flowing in the ground conductor GND or that in the antenna coil 456. FIG. 14A illustrates the positional relationship between the antenna coil 456 and the coupling conductor 90 in the antenna device 106. FIG. 14B illustrates a path of a current flowing in the ground conductor GND of the substrate 2. FIG. 14C illustrates a path of a current flowing in the antenna coil 456.

The antenna device 106 can also pick up an induced current flowing in the ground conductor GND, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, in addition to operating as in the antenna device 104 illustrated in the fourth preferred embodiment. That is, when an induction field from an antenna device of a communication partner impinges on the ground conductor GND, an induced current flows in the ground conductor GND, as indicated by the arrows illustrated in FIG. 14B, and this induced current converges on the edge of the ground conductor GND because of edge effects. Because the coupling conductor 90 of the antenna device 106 is connected to the edge of the ground conductor GND, the current flowing in the edge of the ground conductor GND is also guided to the coupling conductor 90. The current having flowed in the coupling conductor 90 flows in the antenna coil 456 over electromagnetic fields (specifically, the coupling conductor 90 and the first conductive patterns 41 to 43 are coupled over magnetic fields), this current is extracted as a signal current.

Although depending on the distance between the ground conductor GND and the antenna coil 456, when the antenna device 106 is seen in plan view, the antenna coil 456 may be arranged such that all the antenna coil 456 overlaps the ground conductor GND in the range where the antenna coil 456 is not included in the region of the ground conductor GND.

To use an induced current flowing in the ground conductor GND of the substrate 2, the coupling conductor 90 is optional. However, in the state where the ground terminals 75 and 76 are connected to the ground conductor GND of the substrate on which the antenna device is mounted, the coupling conductor 90 acts as part of the ground conductor of the substrate or as an extended ground conductor. Thus, the substantial edge of the ground conductor GND of the substrate 2 in the x-axis direction depends on the coupling conductor 90. Because the coupling conductor 90 preferably is integrally formed in advance in the antenna device 106, even if the accuracy of mounting the antenna device 106 on the substrate 2 is low, the positional relationship between the antenna coil in the antenna device 106 and the substantial edge of the ground conductor GND in the x-axis direction is constant. As a result, stable antenna characteristics that are not affected by the accuracy of mounting the antenna device are obtainable.

Seventh Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an antenna device 107 according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15B is an exploded perspective view thereof. FIG. 15C illustrates how a magnetic flux passes through the antenna device 107. The antenna device 107 includes a plurality of magnetic sheets and a plurality of non-magnetic sheets. The first and second conductive patterns in the antenna device 107 are disposed on a plurality of layers. The first and second conductive patterns define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil.

The half-loop first conductive patterns 41 and 42 are disposed on the first major surface (upper surface in FIGS. 15A-15C) of the plurality of magnetic sheets 12. The second conductive patterns 51 and 52 each having a linear shape are disposed on the first major surface (upper surface in FIGS. 15A-15C) of the non-magnetic sheet 20. The input/output terminals 71 and 72 are disposed on the second major surface of the non-magnetic sheet 20.

The first conductive patterns 41 and 42 and the second conductive patterns 51 and 52 are connected to each other with the interlayer conductors in the magnetic sheets 12 disposed therebetween. The second conductive patterns 51 and 52 and the input/output terminals 71 and 72 are connected to each other with the interlayer conductors in the non-magnetic sheet 20 disposed therebetween.

In that way, the first conductive patterns 41 and 42, the second conductive patterns 51 and 52, and the interlayer conductors define a spiral or substantially spiral antenna coil with two turns between the input/output terminals 71 and 72.

As described above, the line length of each of the first conductive patterns 41 and 42 and the line length of each of the second conductive patterns 51 and 52 may be different. That is, the magnetic body may substantially pass through the opening of the antenna coil in a location displaced from the center of that opening.

In the orientation illustrated in FIG. 15C, an antenna of a communication partner is present above or in an upward slanting direction of the antenna device 107. Thus, the magnetic flux φ enters between the first conductive patterns 41 and 42 and the second conductive patterns 51 and 52 (into the opening of the antenna coil) and exits from the magnetic layers 12 mainly through the end surface. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15C, the line length of each of the first conductive patterns 41 and 42 is longer than that of each of the second conductive patterns 51 and 52. Thus, the size of the substantial opening of the antenna coil allowing an entry of the magnetic flux φ can be increased as illustrated in FIG. 15C, and the high-gain antenna device is obtainable.

In the above-described examples, an antenna device preferably for use in an HF range that can be used in NFC or the like is described. The antenna device may also be configured as the one for use in a UHF range, such as GSM or DCS.

The antenna device according to the present invention is not limited to a device including a magnetic sheet and a non-magnetic sheet. For example, the antenna device may be configured so as to include a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer that are formed by thick film printing.

When the antenna device according to various preferred embodiments of the present invention is attached to the inner surface of the casing, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, a flexible resin multilayer structure may preferably be used as the base body. When the antenna device according to various preferred embodiments of the present invention is mounted on a substrate (printed wiring board), as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B and FIGS. 13A and 13B, a rigid ceramic laminate that can be mounted by substantially the same process as in other mounting components may preferably be used as the base body.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an example in which a portion of the first and second conductive patterns is preferably in contact with a magnetic sheet is described. However, the present invention is not limited to that arrangement. That is, the first and second conductive patterns may be arranged on only a non-magnetic sheet that is not in direct contact with a magnetic sheet, and these conductive patterns may be connected together using an interlayer conductor that is contiguously disposed in the magnetic sheet and the non-magnetic sheet.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An antenna device comprising: a plurality of insulator layers; at least one first conductive pattern having a half-loop shape or a linear shape, including a plurality of layers, and being adjacent to a first major surface of the plurality of insulator layers; at least one second conductive pattern having a half-loop shape or a linear shape, including a plurality of layers, and being adjacent to a second major surface of the plurality of insulator layers; an interlayer conductor included in the plurality of insulator layers and connecting the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern; and an antenna coil including one turn or a plurality of turns, and including the at least one first conductive pattern, the at least one second conductive pattern, and the interlayer conductor; wherein at least one of the at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern has a half-loop shape; and at least two half-loop conductive patterns of the first conductive pattern at least partially overlap each other and/or at least two half-loop conductive patterns of the second conductive pattern at least partially overlap each other, when seen in plan view.
 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of insulator layers includes a plurality of magnetic layers, and at least one of the plurality of layers of at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern is disposed on at least one of the plurality of magnetic layers.
 3. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling conductor disposed within a loop defined by the at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern when seen in plan view, the coupling conductor being electrically coupled to an external ground terminal and isolated from the antenna coil.
 4. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern have different line lengths.
 5. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic layer stacked on the at least one first conductive pattern on the first major surface of the plurality of insulator layers so as to cover a portion of the at least one first conductive pattern.
 6. The antenna device according to claim 5, further comprising a first input/output terminal located at one end of the antenna coil and a second input/output terminal located at another end of the antenna coil, wherein the first and second input/output terminals are exposed from the antenna device.
 7. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of insulator layers includes a plurality of non-magnetic layers, and the at least one first and second conductive patterns define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil.
 8. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of insulator layers include a plurality of magnetic layers and a plurality of non-magnetic layers, the at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern define a helical or substantially helical antenna coil, and at least one of the plurality of layers of at least one of the at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern is disposed on a respective one of the plurality of magnetic layers.
 9. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein one of the plurality of layers of the at least one first conductive pattern is disposed on one of the plurality of magnetic layers, and one of the plurality of layers of the at least one second conductive pattern is disposed on another one of the plurality of magnetic layers.
 10. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein one of the plurality of non-magnetic layers is arranged at a lowermost position of the plurality of insulator layers, a coupling conductor is disposed on a first major surface of the one of the plurality of non-magnetic layers disposed at the lowermost position, and input/output terminals and ground terminals are disposed on a second major surface of the one of the plurality of non-magnetic layers disposed at the lowermost position.
 11. A communication terminal apparatus comprising: an antenna device; a communication circuit connected to the antenna device; and a casing that houses the antenna device and the communication circuit; the antenna device including: a plurality of insulator layers; at least one first conductive pattern having a half-loop shape or a linear shape, including a plurality of layers, and being adjacent to a first major surface of the plurality of insulator layers; at least one second conductive pattern having a half-loop shape or a linear shape, including a plurality of layers, and being adjacent to a second major surface of the plurality of insulator layers; an interlayer conductor included in the plurality of insulator layers and connecting the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern; and an antenna coil including one turn or a plurality of turns, and including the at least one first conductive pattern, the at least one second conductive pattern, and the interlayer conductor; wherein at least one of the at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern has a half-loop shape; and at least two half-loop conductive patterns of the first conductive pattern at least partially overlap each other and/or at least two half-loop conductive patterns of the second conductive pattern at least partially overlap each other, when seen in plan view.
 12. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the casing includes an end portion directed toward a communication partner, and the antenna device is located in an area of the end portion of the casing.
 13. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a path length of the at least one first conductive pattern is longer than a path length of the at least one second conductive pattern, and the antenna device is arranged such that a side adjacent to the at least one first conductive pattern is directed toward an antenna of a communication partner.
 14. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the communication terminal apparatus is a cellular telephone.
 15. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first conductive pattern does not overlap with the at least one second conductive pattern except where the interlayer conductor connects the at least one first conductive pattern and the at least one second conductive pattern.
 16. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein at least one insulator layer of the plurality of insulator layers is disposed between the plurality of layers of the at least one first conductive pattern and/or at least one insulator layer of the plurality of insulator layers is disposed between the plurality of layers of the at least one second conductive pattern.
 17. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first conductive pattern is disposed at one side of the interlayer conductor and the at least one second conductive pattern is disposed at another side of the interlayer conductor that is opposite to the one side when seen in plan view. 